The Mercedes-Benz Museum is prominently represented in the Mercedes-Benz Hall (Paul Horn Hall, Hall 10) at Retro Classics Stuttgart: On a generous 500 square meters, historically significant pieces from the extensive collection can be seen alongside sales vehicles from the in-house supplier All Time Stars. "Highlights to mark the 125th anniversary of motorsport," promises Ralph Wagenknecht from Mercedes-Benz Classic. These are exhibits that exemplify the brand's unique motorsport history.
This began in the summer of 1894 with the drive from Paris to Rouen, the first ever car race. The victory, worth 5,000 gold francs, was won by vehicles from Peugeot and Panhard & Levassor, which were able to prevail against competition from steam, hydraulic and compressed air vehicles that would seem ludicrous today. Under the hood: a two-cylinder V-engine designed by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. The pioneering drive is on display at the trade fair.
A Benz 200 PS can also be admired there. The legendary "Blitzen-Benz" has the largest displacement engine ever used in one of the company's vehicles. Thanks to its 200 horsepower, the 21.5-liter racing car exceeded the "magic" limit of 200 kilometers per hour for the first time in 1909 - making it the fastest land vehicle of its time, twice as fast as an airplane. In 1910, an example reached a speed of 211 kilometers per hour in Daytona Beach. A new world record, which the Blitzen-Benz itself surpassed only a little later: at the wheel was the American Bob Burman, the fastest man in the world at 228 kilometers per hour in 1911.
As a result, Mercedes-Benz was literally unstoppable in motor racing. With a W 196 R Formula 1 racing car (1955) and a CLK-LM GT racing sports car (1998), younger racing generations are also represented at Retro Classics.
About Retro Classics Stuttgart
Retro Classics Stuttgart is the world's largest trade fair for driving culture and was named "Show of the Year" at the 2018 Historic Motoring Awards. Among enthusiasts and collectors of historic automobiles, brand representatives and representatives of relevant classic car clubs, the international platform has long been regarded as a must-attend event to kick off the classic car season. Covering a total area of around 140,000 square meters, the unique concept impresses with a wide range of classic cars, modern classics, neo-classics, US cars, historic two-wheelers and commercial vehicles as well as a large vehicle sales market and interesting special shows.
The 2019 fair will take place from March 7 to 10 and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays to Sundays.
